Jun. 21, 2013

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder / Jarrad Henderson/Detroit Free Press

Written by

Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau

LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder failed to get two major priority items ó Medicaid expansion and more than $1 billion in additional revenues for roads ó through the Legislature before it adjourned for the summer Thursday.

Michiganís Republican governor also saw his plans to revamp the stateís no-fault insurance system tied up amid fierce opposition from certain quarters.

But Snyder and GOP lawmakers also had some wins in the first six months of 2013. There was continued movement on his initiative to streamline business regulations and get rid of rules that were overly onerous, redundant or obsolete.

A plan to dredge 58 sites in the Great Lakes to deal with low lake levels got early passage to help ensure a smooth summer boating season.

Stalled bills could still be taken up after a two-month summer break, or potentially during a few scheduled meeting dates during the summer.

Hereís the scorecard:

Health care and social services

It also was a setback for low-income Michigan residents who will get help from a $50-million fund authorized to help them pay for heat in the winter. It will be fueled with a surcharge of up to $1 a month on all electric bills in the state.

Snyder also won legislative approval of a revamp of Michiganís indigent defense system, which has been criticized as among the worst in the nation.

Summer fun

The dredging bills, which included $21 million in state money to clear 58 public harbors and bays, were among the first passed in the session after record low lake levels stranded countless boats last season.

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Last yearís laws that allowed the sale of higher powered fireworks in the state caused many a sleepless night as revelers took full advantage, shooting off the pyrotechnics for weeks in many communities. A new bill limits those fireworks to the three days surrounding 10 national holidays, and allows communities to prohibit them from midnight or 1 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Small winemakers who produce 5,000 gallons a year or less, will be able to sample and sell their wine at farmersí markets around the state.

Schools

Schools got a littler more than a 3% increase for K-12 education, and universities and community colleges got an extra 2%.

On straight party-line votes, Republicans passed bills that allow the state Treasurer and Superintendent of Schools to dissolve small, deficit-ridden school districts. The bills only affect the Buena Vista and Inkster school districts now, but 55 schools statewide are operating with deficits.

Hunting

And a hunt for 43 gray wolves in the Upper Peninsula was approved by the Legislature, and set by the Natural Resources Commission for the end of the year.

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Still pending

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Drivers: A controversial plan to revamp Michiganís no-fault insurance system stalled in the state House. It would have scrapped unlimited lifetime benefits for catastrophically injured drivers with a $1 million cap.

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Education: The Legislature declined to add funding to implement Common Core standards for schools, which are in use by 45 states, because of a fear that it would lead to more federal control over schools.

And the expansion of the Education Achievement Authority, which allows the state to take over poorly performing school districts, stalled in the Senate.

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Shoppers: A bill that would extend sales tax to Internet shoppers stalled in the state House, although it is being taken up in Congress.

■Ex-felons: A bill that would make it easier for nonviolent offenders to get their records expunged stalled in the House.

■Pooches: Taking your dogs to the outdoor patios at restaurants will have to wait until the fall. The bill allowing restaurants and communities to make the choice for canine dining hasnít made it out of committee yet.

■Scrap metal theft: A package of bills cracking down on illegal scrap metal theft and sales was sent back to the drawing board amid protests from scrap yard dealers.

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■Social conservatives: will have to wait for their bills to come up till the fall, including legislation that would: allow medical professionals and health care facilities to refuse to provide services based on a moral, religious or conscientious objection; require suspicion-based drug testing of welfare recipients and punitive action for welfare recipients whose children are truant from schools; and an abortion bill that would make it harder for teenagers to get a judicial waiver to receive an abortion without parental consent.